Upper-stretching machine.



B. J. HAMILTON.

UPPER STRETGHING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 1m 22, 1911. RENEWED JAN. 30, 1914.

Patented Sept. 15, 1914.

l/WTA/ESSES a fame. 0, 4

B. J. HAMILTON.

UPPER STRETGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1911. RENEWED JAN. 30, 1914.

1 1 10,324, Patented Sept. 15, 1914-1.

I 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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UPPER STRETCHING MACHINE.

AIPLIGATION FILE-D MAY 22, 1911. RENEWED JAN. 30, 1914. 1 1 1 0,324.

Patented Sept. 15, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 Wvavrzw UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN J. HAMILTON. OF HAVERHILL, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 UNITED SHOE MACHINERY COMPANY. OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented Sept. 15, 1914.

Application filed May 22, 1911, Serial No. 628,642- Itenewed January 30, 1914. Serial No. 815,542.

To all whom it may cow-urn Be it known that I. BENJAMIN J. HAM1L- 'rox. a citizen of the United States, residing at Haverhill, in the county of Essex and :5 State of lllassachusctts, have invented certain Improvements in Upper-Stretching Machines, of which the following descrip tion, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to preparing shoe uppers for lasting and part-icularly to means for treating theupper pletely to take the shape of the last the lasting operation and more permanehtl to retain the original shape of the; while the shoe is being worn.

mands the greatest degree of shaping:-in

over the curved contour of the toe end of the last and then the fringe 0r margin lhas to be gathered inwardly over theedge?!) the last and secured on the last bottom; The} conspicuousness of this toe portion of the shoe makes it necessary that this portion of the upper be not only free from the wrinkles that naturally tend to form as the upper is thus bent and gathered in at its edge but for satisfactory appearance the stock must present an entirely smooth surface over the toe. This is a result which has been obtained with increasing difficulty as the oldfashioned square toes of shoes have gradually been changed to the modern shapes. At the present time it has been rendered peculiarly difficult by reason of the high toe formation of a large portion of the lasts coming into use. These lasts have a much greater depth measurement through the toe than through the ball back of the toe and it requires a great deal of time and labor to manipulate the stockin the ordinary ways to cause it to fit smoothly over high toed lasts. This fact is recognized by the payment of an extra price for the lasting of shoes on high toed lasts.

It is one of the particular objects of this 7 invention to meet this condition.

Another object is to obtain greater perapparatus for i to cause it more readily and more com The portion of a shoe upper which' dej-i manence of fit 01' contour in the shoe by removing the stretch from the stock more uniformly throughout the forepart of the vamp than is done by the usual methods. As will be readily understood an upper applied loosely over a high toed last touches the last on the instep and on the top of the high toe and bridges between these points. In pulling-over and in lasting the shoe an attempt is made to draw the upper down to the wood over which it is bridged and it proves very diflicult to do this without tearing the upper or distorting it at the instep and the high toe. This ditliculty, is increased largely by the fact that in pulling the upper the friction developed between it and the side face of the last in contact with ofthe force applied. The result is that in most shoes the upper is overstretched over the side faces of the ball and is not stretched enough over the top of the ball. When the shoe is put into use theportion of the upper over the ball stretches by the action of the foot and becomes loose and baggy, losing the shape which it was intended the shoe should retain.

With these objects and others in view, the gfinvention consists in providing means and mechanism such as pointed out in the annexed claims for treating a shoe upper preparatory to the lasting operation, or it might be as a part of the lastingoperation considered in the broad sense in which the term lasting was originally used. In the accompanying drawings is an illustrative example of. a machine embodying the invention. v

Figure l is a perspective View of the ma.- chine' as seen at the beginning of the operati on of stretching theupper. ,Fig. 2 is a. vertical longitudinal section of the machinelwith its pangs-at rest in starting position. Fig. 3 is a front viewwith the parts positioned as in Fig. 2. f

The machine is shown as having a post 2 with bearings for a main shaft turned by a pulley and belt 4 and 'connected by a sprocket chain 7 and two to one gearing to an upper shaft 8 driving a cam 10. The main shaft is connected with the pulley tby a clutch which at each revolution is disconnected by a wedge controller 12 engaging a pin 13 to withdraw the clutch bolt. The pin comes to rest in i for? of the wedge con which it is stretching absorbs a large part troller and thereby stops the shafts and determines the position in which the machine will come to rest. The controller is pivoted at 14: and a spring 15 connecting the lower arm of the controller to a vertically movable treadle troller normally in position to engage the pin on the clutch bolt. The bar 16 has on its upper end a shoulder 17 to hook over an outwardly extending arm 18 of the controller whereby depression of the bar by a treadle, not shown, withdraws the controller to allow the clutch bolt to be crowded toward the pulley 4 by a spring not shown. To insure only a momentary withdrawal of the controller and its return by the spring 15 to position to stop the machine, the controller has an arm 20 that abuts against the bar 16 when the controller is rocked and thereby crowds the shoulder 17 off the arm 18.

The machine frame furnishes support for the upper holding devices which herein are shown as consisting of a clamp to engage a ramp at the end of the toe and pairs of grippers to engage the vamp at each lateral edge back of the tip seam. The toe clamp consists of a fixed curved jaw resting on the frame and ajaw 26 that is yieldlngly carried ina rising and falling head 30 operated by the cam 10 and guided 1n ways 32, Fig. 1. The jaw 26 has a pin and slot connection with the head at 34 and is pressed down by spring 35 so that it makes clamping engagement with the toe end of the vamp in the first portion of the-descent of the head 30.

The side grippers are arranged in pairs and each gripper comprises a lower jaw 40, Fig. 8, extending upwardly and forwardly from a slide bar 42 and having a gripping face on its upper side. The innermost position of this bar and jaw in the machine is adjustably determined for sizes of Vamps -by a stopscrew 43, Fig. 1. The bar 42- has 'upstanding ears to which is pivoted the upper jaw 45 which has a tail extending down through a hole in the bar 42 and through a fork in the end of an operating bar 46, said fork being spanned by a roller carrying pin through whichoperating engagement is had between the jaw and bar 46 to swing the jaw down and up. The two operating bars 46 of the pair of side grippers are connected together and to a block 48 by an equalizer 50, Fig. 1. The block 48 is arrangedin the path of a lever 52 rising from a pivot rod 80 and having on its upper end a roll to engage with a wedge 55 that is carried by the rising'and falling head 30. This arrangement provides for seizing. the vamp at the toe end and at two points at each edge of the ball when the head 30 descends and for causing the side gi'ippers to stretch the .vamp transversely w 'le it lies in asingle bar 16 holds the con" plane and there is no friction acting on its marginal portions to prevent thorough stretching throughout the width of the vamp. A yielding quality is given to this stretching by a spring through which the action of the cam 10 is transmitted to the head 30. To adjust or vary the extent of the stretching movement of levers the wedge 55 is made in two parts or members which can be spread by a right and left screw 57. As was mentioned, the main shaft is connected to the upper shaft by two to one gearing so that the machine comes to rest with the upper gripped and under ten- 51011.

The frame gives support at 64 for a pan 65 located under the ramp to contain leather tempering liquid of any suitable composition. In this pan there is a brush 68 which is arranged to travel over a pair of toothed plates 70 located at each end of the brush and engaging therewith by pinions 72 affixed to the brush shaft at each end of the brush. The ends of the brush shaft are embraced by hooks 75 on the'ends of arms 7 6 which are each formed in two parts to render the arms capable of extension against the resistance of springs 78. These arms extend from a rock shaft 80, which is the pivot shaft from which the levers 52 rise, and this shaft has an arm 82 that stands in the path of an arm 84: that is pivoted on a stud 31 that extends out from a depending leg of the rising and falling head 30. Thls arm 84 is held by a spring 86 in position to cause a steel plate on its face to engage the arm 82 and turn the rockshaft for causing the brush 68 to travel from one end of the pan to the other during the descent of the rising and falling head. The steel plate slips oil the arm 82 before the head gets fully down, the arm 84 turning against the spring 86. The rockshaft 80 has a third arm 90 connected to the plunger of a dash pot in which a spring 92 is compressed by the movement of the rockshaft 80 during the described downward movement of the head 30. At the end of this downward movement of head 30 this spring 92 expands slowly, at a rate determined by the dash pot and causes the brush 68 to be returned to its starting position.

The toothed plates 70 are also cam plates to determine the path of the brush, first upwardly from starting position Fig. 1, then across in wiping contact with the vamp, and then downwardly into the pan at the other end of the plates 70. This stroke of the brush quickly wets up the lining, if the vamp is placed lining side down. The return stroke of the brush efiected by the spring 92 wets the work again while it is under tension. The bristles are long enough to allow bending to pass under the portions of the vamp that are depressed by the form that will be described, and their action on the depressed portions applies the tempering liquid with particular force to those portions of the vamp while they are under tension. If it were desired to Wet only those portions of the vamp which are particularlv stretched by the form a brush of suitable diameter would effect this result. The l:=rush is actuated from the head 30 so that it makes only one stroke across the vamp and back while the head 30 is descending and is down,-and is not actuated when the 7 head rises. The pan is kept supplied with tempering liquid at a uniform level by an air tight tank 93 and connections 94, and the liquid can be heated electrically or by a steam pipe 95.

The head 30 carries a. form 96 that is shaped like the forepart of a last and which, after the upper has been seized and while it is held under tension and being further stretched by the action of the wedge 55 transmitted to the side grippers, is depressed upon the vamp and applies local pressure thereto at the high the and at the base of the instep to stretch and shape the vamp of these points. The form is connected to the head 30 by stems 97 and a binding screw 98 which afford provision for adjustment to vary the extent to which the" form shall be pressed into the vamp and caused to deflect it from the plane in which it is stretched by the holding devices 25, 26 and 40, 45. The machine comes to rest with the form down in shaping relation to thevamp. The form may be heated by an electrical or other heating device 99.

In the use of the machine the forepart of the vamp is inserted below the raised form and upon the horizontal gripping faces ofthe lower jaws 40 of the side grippers and upon the toe clamping jaw 25. The d15- position of these jaws greatly facilitates the insertion of the work, as does. also the open position of the pivoted gripper jaws wherebythey are turned up entirely outof the way. Fig. 3 illustrates the work receiving posit-i011 of the parts. Vvhen the machine is first treadled the rotation of cam 10 and depression of head 30 causes the jaw 26 to clamp the tip of the vamp, while the advance of wedge 55 causes the jaws 45 to grip the opposite lateral edges of the forepart of the vamp. Continued movement of the wedge effects movement of the grippers outwardly to stretch the vamp in a plurality of lines extending across the vamp and finally to come to rest with the work under tension at the end of one revolution of the driving shaft. The brush is actuated to wipe across the lower side of the upper materials of the vamp, that is, across the lining if there be a lining and the work be inserted with the finished side of the vamp uppermost as shown, (although a reverse presentation of the work is also contemplated by me under some conditions) and to wet or to moisten the work on its lower side with the tempering liquid. This first wetting of the lining, which softens the starch and thereby reduces the resistance offered by the lining to the upper stretching action, is effected in accordance with the timed relation of actuatin mechanism herein shown during the first portion of the stretching movement of the grippers. The return movement of the brush is delayed until after the machine comes to rest and takes place slowly under the control of the dashpot. The form 96 is positioned on head 30 to come into engagement with the vamp only after an initial stretching by the grippers has been effected without any retardation from frictional engagement of the stock with the form. The form then by pressure upon the vamp, first at the points over the toe and at the foot of the instep, bends the vamp out of the single plane 1n which the grippers are stretching it. The machine comes to rest withv the form in pressing engagement. with the upper and .t-helatter held undertensionand the brush,

larsurface presented by. the contourof the form; It ,is to be noted that the vamp is first tensioned throughout its Width .while i it can stretch freely and then it isufurther stretched locally by the action of the form at the points where the greatest displacement from normal position is required. If

the form is heated, as herein provided, the heatpenet-rates the stock while the machine is at rest and assists the tempering liquid in'softening the stock and causing it to set more perfectly in the shape of the form. The tempering liquid can be maintained at any desired temperature by the steam pipes.

The'heatedformprobably produces vapor to some extent from the moist lining. This.

apparatus has the advantage over some proposed toe steaming constructions that the finished surface of the leather is not necessarily moistened so that no injurious effects are obtained thereon, while the body portion of the leather can be quite thoroughly moistened by the warm vapor to render the stock pliable. Of course, the use of the heat, as well as also that of the-form itself and of themoistening brush, is optional and the machine can be run simply as an upper stretching apparatus or with any one or more of the above mentioned features. When the machine is treadled a second time the parts are all restored to starting will be able to use two machines allowingas for use in shaping a vamp wrong side out,

it will be understood that the machine may be used to shape vamps right side out and that such use is within the province of the invention. When the machine is used in the manner described, it will be understood that the vamp, after its removal from the machine, is to be turned right side out and subsequently lasted in the usual manner.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of th United States is 2- 1. A machine for preparing upper materials for lasting having, in combination, grippers arranged to engage the vamp at opposite edges of the forepart, means for actuating said grippers in opposite directions in the same horizontal plane to permit the vamp to be stretched in a single plane, and a form between which and the vamp there is,

relative movement perpendicular to the direction of the stretching movement to shape the vamp.

2. A machine for preparing upper materials for lasting having, in combination, a plurality of pairs of grippers arranged to engage the forepart of the vamp at opposite edges, an equalizer connected with the pairs of grippers at each edge, and means acting through said equalizers for moving the grippers in the same horizontal plane to stretch the upper in a plurailty of lines extending across the vamp from edge to edge.

3. A machine for preparing upper materials for lasting having, in combination, two pairs of grippers engaging the forepart of the vamp at each edge, an equalizer connecting each two pairs of grippers,

guiding means for directing the" movement of all the grippers in the same horizontal plane, levers acting through the equalizers toqhove-the grippers. and a wedge for forciiig'the levers apart to effect the stretching ofthe upper.

4. -A machine for preparing upper materials for lasting having, arranged for engagement with the forepart of a vamp at each lateral edge thereof, two pairs of grippers to stretch theupper in two lines extendin transversely across the vamp, one line being located adjacent to the tip seam and the other line being located adjacent to the threat of the vamp, an equalizer connecting the grippers that engage the same edge of the vamp, and power actuating mechanism operating through said equalizers to effect stretching of the upper and arranged to come automatically to rest with the upper held under tension by the grippers.

rials for lasting having, arranged for engagement with the forepart of the vamp at each lateral edge thereof, two pairs of grippers to stretch the upper in two lines extending transversely across the vamp, one line being located adjacent to the tip seam and the other line being located adjacent to thethroat of the vamp, an equalizer connecting the grippers that engage the same edge of; the vamp, and operating means acting through said equalizers to cause the grippers to stretch the upper and hold it under tension.

I 6. A machine for stretching uppers having, in combination, grippers for engaging ;ppcs1te edges of a vamp, levers connected with said grippers and having ends arranged in proximity, and a wedge adapted to be forced between said lever ends for effecting operation of the grippers.

7. A machine for stretching uppers havmg, 1n combination, grippers for engaging opposite edges of a vamp, levers connected with said grippers and having ends arranged 1n proxlmitv, and a split wedge adapted to be forced between said lever ends for eifeeting peration of the grippers, said machine having provision for adjustment of the split wedge for varying the movement or the grippers. V? 8. machine for stretching upperslh'avmg, in combination, grippers for engaging opposite edges of a vamp, levers connected with said grippers and having endsarranged in proximity, and a wedge arranged to be forced between said lever ends, a wedge carrier, a'carrier operating cam, and a yielding element in the connection between the cam and the grippers.

9. A machine for stretching Vamps arranged to receive the work with the vamp outspread in a single plane and having, in combination, a clamp for the toe end of the vamp, grippers for engaging opposite lateral edges of the vamp, means for actuating the grippers to stretch the vamp while the end is held clamped, a toe form and means for actuating it against the stretched vamp to shape it.

10. A machine for stretching vamps arranged to receive the work with the vamp outspread in a single plane and having, in combination, a clamp comprising jaws curved to correspond with the curvature of the toe tip, grippers arranged to engage the vamp back of the tip, means for actuating the clamp to seize the tip, and means for actuating the grippers to stretch the vamp back of the tip while the tip is so held.

11. A machine for preparing upper materials for lasting having, in combination, grippers arranged to seize opposite edges of the vamp and hold it outspread, means for actuating the grippers at opposite edges si- 5. machine for preparing upper matei multaneously to stretch the vamp, and means l'tr applying tempering material to one face of the vamp Whi e the grippers so hold the work.

12. An upper stretching machine having. in combination, means for stretching a vamp, means for moistening the vamp, and means for shaping the vamp after it has been moistened and while it is under tension;

13. A machine for preparing upper materials for lasting having, in combination, grippers arranged to st ize opposite edges of the vamp and hold it outspread, a brush, and means for actuating the brush across the vamp while the grippers hold the Work.

14. A machine for preparing upper materials for lasting having, in combination, grippers arranged to seize opposite edges of the vamp and hold it outspread, a brush, a

pan for holding temperin liquid, and means for actuating the brns to take tempering liquid from the pan and apply it to the "amp while the work is held by the grippers.

15. A machine for preparing upper ma terials for lasting having, in combination, grippers arranged to seize opposite edges of the vamp and hold it outspread, a brush, a pan for holding tempering liquid, and actuating means to raise the brush into engagement with the vamp, move it over the vamp and lower it again into the liquid.

16. A machine for preparing upper materials for lasting having, in combination, grippers arranged to seize opposite edges of the vamp and hold it outspread, means for applying tempering materlal to the vamp, and actuating mechanism for operating the grippers and said means in timed relation.

17. A machine for preparing upper ma terials for lasting having, in combination, grippers arranged to seize opposite edges of the vamp and hold it outspread, means for applying tempering material to the vamp, and mechanism for operating said grippers and means in timed relation automatically to cause the grippers to stretch the upper and said means to apply the tempering material while the upper is under tension.

18. A. machine for stretching shoe uppers having, in combination, means for gripping and stretching the vamp, and means operating automatically for moistening the shoe lining while the vamp is under tension.

19. A machine for stretching shoe uppers having, in combination, means for gripping and stretching the vamp, and connected mechanism for actuating the grippers to tension the upper and for applying stock softening material to the shoe.

20. A machine for preparing upper materials for lasting having, in combination, means for holding the forepart of the vamp in outspread condition, a brush located below the vamp, and means for actuating the brush across the vamp while it is so held.

21. A machine for prowl-ing upper materials for lasting having. in combination, means for holding the ton-part of the vamp in outspread condition. a brush located below the vamp, and connected mechanism for actuating the vamp holding means and the brush in timed relation and causing the brush to move across the vamp in contact therewith while the vamp is outspread.

22. A machine for preparing upper materials for lasting having, in combination, means for holding the forepart of the Vamp in outspread condition, a pan, a brush arranged to receive liquid from the pan, and means for actuating the brush across the lower face of the vamp to apply the liquid to the shoe lining.

2?). A machine for preparing upper materials for lasting having, in combination, means for holding the forepart of the vamp in outspread condition, a pan located below the vamp, a brush, means for actuating the brush, and guiding means for directing movement of the brush upwardly into contact with the vamp, across the vamp and returning it to position for receiving more liquid from the pan.

24. A machine for preparing upper materials for lasting having, in combination, means for holding the forepart of the vamp in outspread condition, a pan located below the vamp, a brush, and guiding and actuating means for raising the brush into contact with the vamp, moving it across the vamp, and down into the pan and for reversely moving the brush to starting position.

25. A machine for preparing upper ma terials for lasting having, in combination, means for holding the forepart of the vamp in outspread condition, a pan, a brush, and actuating means for causing the brush to move across the vamp and apply liquid thereto and then return in contact with the vamp, said machine having provision for re tarding return movement.

26. A machine for preparing upper materials for lasting having, in combination, grippers for seizing opposite edges of the vamp and holding it under tension in a horizontal plane, a brush, means for supplying the brush with liquid, and actuating means for advancing the brush across the vamp in contact therewith to make an initial application of liquid to the work while the vamp is being stretched and for thereafter returning the brush more slowly across the work while the vamp is held under tension.

27. A machine for preparing upper materials for lasting having, in combination, grippers for seizing opposite edges of the. vamp, means for actuating the grippers to stretch the vamp and hold it under tension in a horizontal plane, a brush, means for supplying the brush with liquid, means f or actuating the brush across the vamp While the vamp is being stretched, a spring for causing a return -movement of the brush across the vamp While the vamp remains under tension, and a dash pot for insuring a relatively slow rate of return movement.

28. A machine for preparing upper materials for lasting having, in combination, means for holding a vamp in outspread position, a brush, means for supplying the brush with liquid, and means for actuating the brush a predetermined plural number of times across the vamp.

29. A machine for preparing upper mate rials for lasting having, in combination, means for holding a vamp in outspread position, a brush, means for supplying the brush Withliquid, means for actuating the brush across the vamp, a spring for returning the brush across the vamp, and a dash pot for controlling the rate of return movement.

30. A machine for preparing up per materials for lasting having, in combination, grippers for engaging opposite edges 01" the forepart of a vamp, a form, and connected mechanism for actuating the grippers to stretch the vamp in a horizontal plane and for actuating the form into contact with the stretched vamp and forcing the \amp out of said plane at the points where stretching is required.

31. A machine for preparing upper materials for lasting having, in combination, grippers for engaging opposite edges of the forepart of a vamp, a form, means for acts ating the grippers to stretch the van: p tram;- versely out of contact with the form, and means for actuating the form into engagemerit with the stretched vamp to shape the vamp.

32. A machine for preparing upper materials for lasting having, in combination, means arranged to stretch the forepart of a vamp in a plane, a form, and means for thereafter bringing the form and the stretched vamp into engagement to shape the vamp in accordance with the contour of the form. v

33. A machine for preparing upper materials for lasting having, in combination, means for initially stretching the forepart of a vamp transversely in a horizontal plane, a form, and operating mechanism maintaining the form out of frictional engagement with the vamp during the initial stretching of the vamp and causing the form to engage the vamp and further stretch it at certain points.

34. A machine for stretching uppers having, in combination, means for engaging the forepart of a vamp at its opposite edges, a form shaped like the forepart of a shoe, and operating mechanism for initially stretching the vamp out of contact with the form, then moving the form and the vamp relatively to efi'ect additional stretching and a shaping of the vamp over the toe and instep of the form and maintaining the vamp and the form in shaping engagement with the vamp under tension.

35. A machine for stretching uppers ha ving, in combination, grippers for engaging opposite edges at the forepart of a vamp, a form, and mechanism operating in timed relation for causing the grippers to pull the upper for efiecting stretching of the middle portion of the vamp While it is free from contact with the form and for thereafter moving the form into engagement with the tensioned vamp for further stretching the upper and shaping it to the form.

36. A machine for stretching uppers having, in combination, grippers for seizing an upper at opposite sides of the forepart of a vamp, a clamp for engaging the toe tip, means for actuating the grippers to stretch the upper transversely while the clamp holds the tip, a form, and means for moving the form into contact with the stretched upper While it is held by the grippers and the clamp.

37. A machine for stretching uppers haw ing, in combination, grippers for seizing an upper at opposite sides of the forepart of a vamp, a clamp comprising cur\ ed edges for engaging and holding the curved edge of the toe tip, a form having high portions to shape the upper at the middle of the toe and at the base of the instep, means for actuating the grippers to tension the upper while the form is out of frictional engagement therewith, and means to actuate the form for fur ther tensioning the upper at points corresponding in location to said high places.

38. A machine for stretching uppers i12 ing, in combination, a clamp to engage the toe of the vamp, grippers for engaging the opposite edges of the forepart of the vamp, a form for shaping the toe portion of the vamp, means for actuating the grippersto stretch the vamp while it is out of Contact with the form, and means for relatively aetuating the grippers and the form to cause the form to shape the toe portion of the vamp while it is under tension.

39. A machine for stretching uppers having, in combination, a clamp to engage the toe of the vamp, grippers for engaging the opposite edges of the forepart of the vamp, a form for shaping the toe portion of the vamp, and actuating mechanism to causethe grippers to stretch the vamp before the form is pressed into it, then to press the form'into the vamp and come automaticalh to rest with the vamp under tension over the form, said mechanism being adapted thereafter to restore the parts to starting position and free the vamp.

40. A machine for stretching uppers having,-in combination, upper holding devices,

a toe shaping form, and operating mechanism for initially stretching the upper out of. frictional contact with the form, then pressing the form into shaping engagement with the upper and causing a rest in the machines operation with the upper over the form, said machine having provision for raising the form and releasing the upper when it is restarted.

41. A machine for stretching uppers having, in combination, upper holding devices, a heated toe shaping form, operating mechanism for initially stretching the upper out of frictional contact with the form, then pressing the form into shaping engagement with the upper and causing a rest in the ma-- cliines operation with the upper over the heated form, and means for maintaining the form in heated condition.

42. A machine for stretching uppers having, in combination, upper holding devices, a toe shaping'form, means for moistening the upper materials, and operating mechgnism for actuating said parts in timed relation and automatically causing a rest in the machines operation while the upper is held under tension in engagement with the form.

43. A machine for stretching uppers having, in combination, upper holding devices, a heatedtoe shaping form, means for moistening the upper materials, operating mechanism for actuating said parts in timed relation and automatlcally causing a rest in the machines operation while the moistened upper is held under tension in engagement with the heated form, and means for maintaining the form in heated condition.

44. A machine for stretching uppers having, in combination, supporting mechanism arranged to permit the presentation of a shoe vamp having a toe tip, grippers for seizing opposite lateral edges of the vamp back of the toe tip,'means arranged for moistening the vamp back of the tip seam, and connected means for actuating the grippers to stretch the engaged portion of the vamp relatively to the toe tip.

45. A machine for stretching uppers having, incombination, grippers for seizing opposite lateral edges of a vamp, means for moistening the vamp, means for actuating the grippers to stretch the vamp, and means for actuating the moistening means to moisten the vamp while it is being stretched.

46. A machine for stretching uppers having, in combination, grippers for seizing opposite lateral edges of a vamp, means for moistening the vamp, a form shaped like the toe portion of a shoe, and mechanism for actuating the grippers and the moistening means to stretch and moisten the vamp and for bringing the vamp and the form into vamp shaping engagement.

47. A machine for stretching uppers having, in combination, grippers for seizing op posite lateral edges of a vamp, means for moistening the vamp, a heated form shaped like the toe portion of a shoe, mechanism for actuating the grippers and the moistening means to stretch and moisten the vamp and for bringing the vamp and the form into vamp shaping engagement, and means for maintaining the form in heated condition, said mechanism being constructed and arranged to come to rest with the heated form in shaping engagement with the stretched vamp.

48. A machine for preparing upper materials for lasting having, in combination, means for seizing opposite edges of the forepart of a vamp and stretching the vamp, and means for moistening the lining while the vamp is being stretched and again applying moisture to the vamp while it is held under tension.

49. A machine for preparing upper materials for lasting having, in combination. means for seizing opposite edges of the forepart of a vamp and stretching the vamp, a

brush, and actuating means for the brush timed to cause the brush to apply moisture to the lining while the stretching movement is taking place and again while the vamp is held under tension.

50. A machine for preparing upper materials for lasting having, in combination, means for seizing opposite edges of the forepart of a vamp and stretching the vamp, a form arranged to be brought into engagement with the vamp for shaping it, means for applying moisture to the lining of the vamp, and automatic operating mechanism for said parts arranged to come to rest while the moistened materials are held underitension over the form.

51. A machine for preparing upper materials for lasting having, in combination. means for seizing opposite edges of the forepartof a vamp and stretching the vamp in 'a horizontal plane, a form arranged for movement to bend the vamp out of the horizontal plane for shaping the vamp, a brush. means for supplying the brush with liquid, and operating mechanism for said parts arranged to actuate the brush across the vamp to wet the lining before engagement of the form with the vamp and to actuate the brush across the work again while the form is in vamp shaping position.

52. A machine for preparing upper materials for lastin having, in combination,

means for engaging the vamp at opposite edges to subject the vamp to tension in a horizontal plane, a form movable into engagement with the vamp to subject it to pressure perpendicular to said plane, and means operating automatically to apply moisture to the work while it is subjected to tension and again while it is subjected to pressure.

" applying moisture to the vamp before it is subjected to pressure.

54. A machine for preparing upper materials for lasting having, in combination,

grippers arranged to engage opposite edges.

'- of the forepart of a vamp and to stretch the vamp in a horizontal plane, said grippers comprising supports, rigid aws maintained by the supports with their gripping faces in said plane, pivoted jaws opening up-,

wardly and outwardly and movable through an angle of 90 to uncover the lower jaws and means for operating said jaws.

55. A machlne for preparing upper materials for lasting having, in combination, a'

curved clamping jaw for the toe tip, a 00- operating clamping jaw, and grippers for the lateral edges of the vamp comprising. lower jaws having their gripping faces in a horizontal plane with the toe clamping jaw and adaptedto form therewith a support for the margin of the forepart of the vamp, and coiiperating gripper jaws opening upwardly and outwardly from the lower jaws through an angle of 90 to uncover the lower jaws for the reception of the work.

56. An upper stretching machine having, in combination, means for stretching a vamp, means for moistening the lining of the vamp, shaping means arranged to engage the leather of the tensioned vamp over the moistened lining, and means for heating the shaping means whereby heat is caused to penetrate the upper leather and act on the moisture in the lining.

57. An apparatus for stretching Vamps the linings of which are moist having, in combination, upper tensioning means, upper shaping means, shaper heating means, and operating means therefor arranged to permit the heat from the shaper to penetrate the upper leather and act on the moisture in the lining while the vamp is under tension and shaping pressure. p i

58. An apparatus of the class described having,.in combination, means for applying moisture in heated condition to the lining side of the shoe upper materials, means for holding said materials in position to be treated, and connected mechanism for operating said two means.

59. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for holding the margin of the forepart of a vamp at the end and sides thereof, said holding means having provision for equalizing the strain between different holding points, a toe former, and means for relatively actuating said parts to force the former into the vamp for stretching the vamp in accordance with the shape of the former.

60. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for holding the margin of the forepart of a vamp at the end and sides thereof, a toe former, means for relatively actuating said parts to force the former into the vamp for stretching the vamp in accordance with the shape of the former, said machine having provision for allowing portions of the holding means to give up stock and other portions of the holding means to exert an increased pull as the vamp is being shaped by the former.

61. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for holding the margin of the forepart of a vamp at the end and sides thereof, said holding means having provision for equalizing the strain between different holding points, a toe former, means for relatively actuating said parts to force the former into the vamp and maintain the vamp tensioned over the former, and means for heating the former.

62. A. machine of the class described hav ing, in combination, means for holding the margin of the forepart of a vamp at the end and sides thereof, a toe former and means for relatively actuating said parts to force the former into the vamp, said holding means including yielding grippers arranged to allow relative movement for permitting one portion of the stock to come toward the former relatively to another portion of the stock as the vamp is being shaped.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

BENJAMIN J. HAMILTON. 

